Naval architectural and power system selection for underwater vessels

An algorithm was developed to enable the tradeoffs between a vessel´s hydrodynamic design, its mission requirements, and the chosen power system to be identified. Attention was especially focused on developing, within the overall algorithm, a method for the selection of an appropriate power system from a menu of alternatives. The outcome of the first phase of the study was the development of a computer program which enables the designer to specify a mission profile, in terms of a speed-time characteristic, define a vessel type based on an input file of the physical dimensions or select one from a large menu of known commercial or military vessels; assess the relationship between the vessel´s hydrodynamic characteristics and its power system requirements using different paradigms; and identify the relative merits and performance of different power systems. The development of this program and the algorithm on which it is based are discussed